GERMAN FLAG FLOWN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21470, 19 April 1933, Page 13

GERMAN FLAG FLOWN

IYACHT CAUSES SURPRISE MISTAKEN FOR VISITOR LEGAL POSITION DEFINED Two young men who sailed a yacht into the harbour yesterday with a German flag flying from the masthead were blissfully ignorant of the official interest taken in their movements. On shore telescopes were trained upon tho incoming craft and, thinking she migli\b be a foreign yacht putting into Auckland during tho course of a Pacific cruise, tho authorities took steps to examine her prior to granting pratique. Tho yacht was first observed rounding North Head. A German flag, consisting of horizontal stripes in black, white and red, was clearly visible through the telescope, and the little craft was watched beating up tho harbour in tho direction of tlio wharves. Several observers were consulted, but none could recollect any news regarding tho presence of a German yacht in New Zealand waters. On the supposition, therefore, that tho visitor might be a pleasuro boat engaged in a world or Pacific cruise, a Harbour Board official was despatched by launch to inquire as to tho stranger's needs. At the same time steps were taken to havo tho vessel examined by customs officers and moorings reserved for hor in Mechanics' Bay. "From Takapuna" Tho yacht dropped anchor inside tho eastern tide deflector and the Harbour Board launch drew alongside. Thinking the crew might have difficulty in understanding English, tho officer put his question as simply as possible. "Where from?" he asked. "From Takapuna,"' came the reply in perfectly good English. It transpired that the vessel was tho Auckland 2Gft. yacht Orangi and that the crew, two Auckland youths, were sailing her roirnd tho harbour. They said they had been given tho German flag by members of tho crew of tho Finnish barque Passat, which recently visited Auckland, and the flag had been used by the barque when she was under German ownership. They appeared to regard the flag as a perfectly good trophy worthy to fly from their masthead and could not understand any surprise being evinced at its appearance. Tho matter was not regarded so lightly by the Harbour Board authorities, who had been put to considerable trouble and some expense in chartering a launch to inspect the yacht. Several officials who were required to stand by in readiness to perform tho customary formalities in connection •\\ itli the arrival of an overseas vessel were not in tho least pleased. Rights to Fly Flags The legal position regarding tho incident was referred yesterday to an authority on international flag practice, who said the flying of tho German flag by a British subject at sea was a distinct breach of tho law as endorsed by international practice. Tho flying of such a flag on shore, he said, would constitute bad etiquette, as would the flying of a French or other foreign flag, unless it was flown from a Consular building. At sea, only a vessel registered in a German port was entitled to fly any German national emblem. Action could be taken in tho Dominion against a New Zealand vessel which flew any such flag.